Telescope Reviews: High solar power output on better visiblity days

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General Astronomy >> General Observing and Astronomy

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john@dps
member

Reged: 02/06/13

Loc: Granada Hills, CA

High solar power output on better visiblity days
#5674623 - 02/11/13 06:57 PM

I am beginning to think or it might be my imagination running amuck that the days my 6.5kw system puts out more power my little scope seems to have better views. Is it correct to believe what we can see with our eyes also affects the solar panels output. Because if it is that would be sweet,

I can tell by noon if the power is higher or lower that day. The Last few days here in LA have been great views and the solar power output has been several KW's higher than normal. Any thoughts?

Is our seeing at night similar to the solar panels seeing in the day?

Edited by john@dps (02/11/13 07:02 PM)

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john@dps
member

Reged: 02/06/13

Loc: Granada Hills, CA

Re: High solar power output on better visiblity days new

[Re: john@dps]
#5674685 - 02/11/13 07:41 PM

A good example is I just checked the power output and today is going to end up with 5KW's more than the average day in the last couple weeks. However today doesnt appear to be any different then all the other days, yet the solar power created doesnt lie. The last few days have been 2-5KW's more and my views are better than usual.

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Tony Flanders
Postmaster

Reged: 05/18/06

Loc: Cambridge, MA, USA

Re: High solar power output on better visiblity days new

[Re: john@dps]
#5674737 - 02/11/13 08:12 PM

Quote:

I am beginning to think or it might be my imagination running amuck that the days my 6.5kw system puts out more power my little scope seems to have better views. Is it correct to believe what we can see with our eyes also affects the solar panels output.

Of course it does! The issue at hand is extinction, the amount of light that's absorbed or scattered during its passage through the atmosphere. It's substantial at best, and heavy haze or smog could easily cut out an extra 25%. That's enough to make a major difference both to your solar panel and at the eyepiece.

The term you're looking for is "transparency," by the way. "Seeing" means the steadiness of the air -- the ability to use high magnifications.

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Mary B
Vendor - Echo Astronomy and Electronics

Reged: 05/21/10

Loc: Minnesota

Re: High solar power output on better visiblity days new

[Re: Tony Flanders]
#5676210 - 02/12/13 04:30 PM

very good conditions here in MN today too, my batteries were back to full charge by 10AM. Part of it is the sun is higher in the sky though.

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john@dps
member

Reged: 02/06/13

Loc: Granada Hills, CA

Re: High solar power output on better visiblity days new

[Re: Mary B]
#5676387 - 02/12/13 06:16 PM

Mary B is seeing better on days the batteries charge faster. It seems so to me but I,m a noob and know very little about good seeing and transparency, some days that looked good to me were't.

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